The Sixers are trading a frontcourt player before the deadline … just not the one people expected.
The Sixers are finalizing a trade to send Ersan Ilyasova to the Atlanta Hawks for center Tiago Splitter and two second-round picks, a league source confirmed to CSNPhilly.com Sixers Insider Jessica Camerato.
The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news.
Ilyasova was acquired along with a conditional first-round pick from Oklahoma City on Nov. 1 for Jerami Grant. Ilyasova has averaged 14.3 points and 5.9 rebounds this season. However, he has struggled offensively lately, shooting just 35.7 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from three-point over the last 10 games.
The move also allows Sixers Dario Saric to receive even more playing time and experience as the team heads into the final 26 games of the regular season. Saric has shown steady improvement all season long. The rookie has averaged 16.0 points on 44.0 percent shooting with 6.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in nine games during February.
Splitter has missed the entire season with hip and calf injuries. The veteran's contract expires after this season.
